The End Of Love – As the episode opens, thoughts of Hazel-May McCall (Ashleigh Murray) keep Nella Rogers (Sinclair Daniel) awake. Giving up on sleep, Nella creates a “Voluntary/Involuntary” board with before and after photos of her colleagues. She recalls Hazel threatening anyone who stands in their way of becoming editors.

Nella is asleep on the sofa when Malaika (Brittany Abebumola) startles her awake. After informing her of Owen’s (Hunter Parrish) call, Malaika describes her Voluntary/Involuntary board as “Riddler s**t.” Nella suggests Hazel has something planned for the women. Owen questions what the women are involved in. She assures them that Ruby’s arrival was not accidental before pointing that out the women’s Instagram accounts were opened a year ago. He reminds her of Shani (Karina Willis) informing her that Hazel is really Eva. Nella claims to have last heard from Shani at the karaoke bar. Malaika asks how “reverse stalk” works. Nella says they will start by revisiting the places where she met Shani. At the Karaoke bar, Malika shows the Goth Chick (Georgia Norman) a photo of Shani. The Goth Chick shakes her head no. The yoga studio, karaoke bar, and D-train turn up nothing.

Owen urges Nella to call in to avoid Hazel. Nella reminds them that Diana’s imprint launch party is scheduled for tomorrow. She tells him that Kaiara is a Saks buyer and Camille (Camille Bright) is a chemical engineer before questioning how they do it. Owen suggests they have “friends in high places.” Malaika says their cult probably pays for their degrees. Nella discovers an online article about Richard Wagner’s (Eric McCormack) donation making it possible for Ebonee Turner (Rheeqrheeq Chainey) to become the “youngest Associate Professor of Literature at Columbia.” Malaika reads another article about Richard joining Saks Fifth Avenue’s board. Nella points out that Richard’s brother is Saks’ CFO. In a meeting Grant and Richard discuss Diana’s imprint launch party. Richard claims diversity has been Wagner Books’ focus since “Burning Heart’s” release. He suggests interviewing the women that made it possible. Stunned, Nella says Richard has Hazel recruiting Black women who will be transitioned into pod people to be farmed out.

When Richard discovers Nella is absent from work, he orders Hazel to find her. Elsewhere, Nella boasts of rebuilding Wagner Book’s “white-ass reputation.” She says Richard is planting “docile” pod women throughout the city. Owen embraces her. Nella recalls Jesse Watson (Langston Kerman) telling her that she will need to grow up to see the true Wagner. She is preparing to call Jesse when Hazel arrives with chicken soup. Owen warns Hazel that Nella is contagious before faking a cough. Opening the door, Hazel pushes the soup container through the crack. After jamming the door, she raises her voice before saying Nella cannot miss Ascendent Books’ imprint party. After the door is closed, Owen asks if the soup is poison. Malaika and Nella say “trash” in unison.

Nella tells Jesse that Richard and Hazel are transforming Black women into pods. Jesse claims to support her theory of a “racist white man” having an “evil, racist plot.” She says they utilize his platform to expose Richard. Agreeing, he commends her for finally waking up. Shani watches them from a nearby table.

Owen voices concern about Nella attending the imprint party. Malaika suggests she accompany her to the party. Nella assures them that she will leave after she convinces someone to join her and Jesse. Owen urges her to keep them on speaker when Vera Parini (Bellamy Young) calls to apologize to Nella. Malaika reminds them of their still being in the dark about the method Richard utilizes to control the women. Nella says no one knows she is onto Richard and Hazel before stressing the need to warn someone.

At the party, Sophie (Kate Owens) tells Nella that she wishes they were better friends. Nella tells Sophie to be a friend by not telling anyone that she saw her. Sophie pretends to zip her mouth shut. Nella assures her that she is not Wagner’s worst employee. Malaika visits Vera to ask her to help Nella. Back at the party, Nella informs Diana Gordon (Garcelle Beauvais) of Richard and Hazel’s scheme. She warns that they will soon target her. She suggests Richard turned Kendra Rae’s (April Parker Jones) years ago. Diana admits to leaving Wagner Books suspecting something strange about Richard. She claims Kendra warned her back then. Elsewhere, Malaika tries to pull information about Richard from Vera.

Richard receives a round of applause. He attributes Wagner’s success to Diana Gordon’s “Burning Heart.” Diana joins him on the stage before the 35^th anniversary edition of “Burning Heart” is launched. Richard introduces Ascendent Books’ first signee, Jesse Watson. Stunned, Nella listens as Jesse claims to be inspired by Wagner’s dedication to devising an inclusive future in publishing. He thanks Nella for helping him to see the light. After the speech, Jesse informs Nella of his joining the Wagner family. He assures her that she is wrong about Richard. She reminds him that he admitted to loathing Wagner. He tells her that she changed his mind before walking away. When Hazel approaches, Nella demands she get away from her. Hazel says she is so close to figuring out who is in charge when Richard summons them. Elsewhere, Vera tells Malaika that Richard and Diana have been sleeping together for years. Malaika rushes toward the door.

Back at the party, Nella tries to leave when Diana stops her. Confused, Nella says it is you. Diana forces her to join Hazel on the stage. Nella calls out Jesse and Hazel. She asks Diana and Richard what they did to Kendra. Looking out at the crowd, she says they made her look crazy before walking away. Racing toward Wagner, Malaika leaves Nella a voicemail warning her of Diana’s involvement. She calls Owen to ask if he has spoken to Nella when a car mows her down. Shani is seen behind the wheel.

Emerging from Wagner, Nella tries to call someone when two kidnappers (Darcel Danielle, London Shara) pull her into a vehicle. The episode ends.

 

The Other Black Girl Review

As the suspense builds, the series is beginning to look more like a thriller. The episode reveals Diana is the mastermind behind the scheme. With Malaika out of the picture, Nella’s support system diminishes. Something sinister is going on, not just at Wager but all over New York City.

The plot is interesting enough but it may be difficult to convince viewers that Black women are being transitioned into pods to be farmed out. It is so farfetched that people are being murdered and abducted in public without attracting the police.

The constant switching from scene to scene makes it difficult to keep up with what is going on.

The episode deserves a 5.8. Get more The Other Black Girl recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Our onsite advertising builds brand awareness, click the link to learn more.